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Starkville Utilities Offers Tips to Help Customers Manage Higher Summer Bills

Hot temperatures can mean higher energy and water use, even when routines are the same

With another round of very high temperatures on the way, Starkville Utilities is reminding customers that Mississippi heat can have a significant impact on household utility usage — even when the thermostat is set exactly where it has always been.

For electric customers, the difference is largely driven by how hard and how often an air-conditioning system must operate to maintain the desired indoor temperature.

“Customers may look at their thermostat and think, ‘I have not changed my setting, so why is my bill higher?’” said Starkville Utilities General Manager Edward Kemp. “The answer is that your air conditioner has to work harder when it is 98 degrees outside than it does when it is 88 degrees outside. Your thermostat may be set at the same temperature, but the system is running longer and more frequently to maintain it.”

That effect can become especially noticeable during extended periods of extreme heat, when air-conditioning systems are working virtually around the clock to keep homes comfortable.

Summer activities also can contribute to higher water usage. Lawn and garden watering, filling swimming pools, more frequent showers and other warm-weather activities can increase consumption during the summer months.

“Mississippi summers are hot, and there is no getting around the fact that our homes and our daily routines respond to that heat,” Kemp said. “We understand that a higher-than-expected bill can be frustrating, and we want our customers to know that we are here to help. There are practical steps you can take to manage your usage, and we want to make sure you have the information and tools to do that.”

One of those tools is SmartHub, Starkville Utilities’ online customer portal and mobile app. SmartHub allows customers to monitor their daily energy usage, view bills and payment history, receive account notifications, and manage their accounts directly from a phone or computer.

Additionally, customers can set up personalized usage alerts through SmartHub to receive notifications whenever their daily consumption exceeds a set threshold, helping them catch spikes in real time.

Monitoring usage can be particularly helpful during periods of extreme heat because customers can see changes in their consumption and make adjustments before receiving their next bill. Customers can access SmartHub and learn more about setting up notifications at starkvilleutilities.com/smarthub.

To further help customers lower their utility costs, Starkville Utilities offers a step-by-step Home Energy Checkup that uncovers simple ways to save. Customers who complete the online checkup receive a $10 Home Depot gift card along with a free energy-saving kit. To get started, customers can visit https://energyright.com/.../home-energy-evaluation/.

Starkville Utilities also offers a number of Beat the Heat energy-saving tips, including:

• Set the thermostat at an efficient temperature and avoid lowering it more than necessary when returning home.
• Keep air-conditioning filters clean and replace them regularly.
• Make sure furniture and other objects are not blocking air vents.
• Close blinds, curtains and shades during the hottest part of the day to help keep heat from entering the home.
• Use ceiling or portable fans to improve comfort and allow for a higher thermostat setting.
• Seal cracks and openings around doors and windows to keep conditioned air inside.
• Avoid using the oven and other heat-producing appliances during the hottest parts of the day when possible.
• Turn off lights and electronics when they are not needed.

More summer energy-saving tips are available from Starkville Utilities at starkvilleutilities.com/residential/save_money.phtml.

“Small changes can add up, particularly when we are dealing with week after week of extreme temperatures,” Kemp said. “Our goal is not simply to tell customers that summer bills may be higher. It is to help them understand why and give them ways to manage their usage.”

Customers who have questions about their bill or need help understanding available payment options are encouraged to contact Starkville Utilities at 662-323-3133. Customer service representatives are available to help customers identify options that may work for their individual circumstances.

Starkville Utilities also offers budget billing, which can help customers take some of the extremes out of their monthly utility bills by creating more predictable payment amounts throughout the year.

“Every customer’s situation is different,” Kemp said. “If you have a question or are concerned about your bill, please reach out to us. We are here to help.”

Starkville Utilities is a municipally owned and operated electric and water utility, serving more than 14,000 residences, businesses and industries in Starkville as well as the state’s largest institution of higher learning, Mississippi State University.